In the King's Name Part 37

Allstone struggled up, but Hilary's captor interfered as he was about to strike at him with his doubled fist.

"No, no, Master Allstone," he said sharply, "I'm sure the skipper and Sir Henry wouldn't let you do that."

"You stand aside," roared Allstone. "Who told you to interfere?"

"No one," said the man coolly; "but I shall interfere, and if you touch that lad again it'll be through me."

"Do you hear this, lads?" cried Allstone. "He's breaking his oaths.

Come on my side and we'll deal with him too."

"This young fellow was about right when he called you an idiot, Jemmy Allstone," said the man quietly.

"He's going to help him get away," cried Allstone, who was mad with pa.s.sion.

"Yes, that's it, boys," said the man laughing, "that's why I caught him and kept him till you came up, and that's why I'm going to tie his arms.

Here, give me the rope."

He s.n.a.t.c.hed the cord from Allstone's hands, and turned to Hilary.

"Hold up your arms, my lad, and I won't hurt you. Come, it's of no use to try and run; we're too many for you. Never fight your s.h.i.+p when you know you are beaten; it's only waste of strength. Come, hold up."

Hilary felt that he had done all that was possible, and, won by his captor's frank, manly way, he held up his wrists, to have them so tightly and ingeniously tied that he was a prisoner indeed.

As they went back by a short cut through the wood, and one which brought them into a narrow lane, Allstone once found an opportunity to maliciously kick his prisoner, as if by accident; but Hilary's friend saw the act, and took care that he did not again approach too near; and, after what seemed a weary walk, the little party crossed the moat of the handsome old place. Hilary was led into the great kitchen, and then up-stairs, past flight after flight, to a room at the top with a strongly-bound door. Into this place he was thrust, and Allstone was about to leave him as he was; but the friendly smuggler stepped forward, and began to unfasten the bonds.

"Never mind that," cried Allstone; "let him stay bound."

The man paid no heed whatever, but undid the cord, set Hilary free, and then retired, the door being banged to, locked loudly, and secured by a heavy bar thrust clanging across.

The young officer stood staring at the door for a few minutes, and then stamped his foot upon the floor.

"Was ever fellow so unlucky!" he exclaimed. "Lips...o...b.. might have found me out by this time; and when I do get out, I'm caught and brought back.

But never mind; if they think I'm beaten they are wrong, for I'll get out, if only to show Sir Henry what a mean-spirited fellow he is."

He looked round his room, which was a bare old attic, with dormer windows and cas.e.m.e.nts, from which, on flinging one open, he saw that he was far too high from the ground for a descent without a rope; but a second glance showed him that it would be possible to climb upon the roof, and when there he might perhaps manage to get somewhere else.

Just then he heard a window opened on the floor below, and, looking down, he saw Adela, evidently gazing towards the moat.

For a few moments he felt too indignant to speak, for he thought Sir Henry was behaving very ill to him; but a little reflection told him that his old companion was not to blame, and what she might even then be feeling very grateful to him for what he had done.

"Well, I'll give her a chance to show it," he thought; and, leaning out a little more he said lightly, "Well, Addy, are you any the worse for your dip?"

"Oh, Hil!" she exclaimed looking up, "are you there?"

"Yes, and locked up safely. I say, your people are behaving very badly to me."

"Oh, Hil," cried the girl with the tears in her eyes, "I am so sorry.

I've been begging papa not to have you caught, and he says he could not help it."

"Then he ought to help it," replied Hilary warmly.

"But he says he's bound to keep faith with his friends; and that if you would only give your word not to escape and betray our hiding-place you might come and live with us; and oh, Hil dear, it would be like old times, and we could have such walks together. Do be a good boy, and promise what papa wishes! I should like you to come and be with us again, for I have no companion now."

Hilary looked down at the bright little face, and as the thoughts of how pleasantly the time would pa.s.s in her company came upon him, as compared with the miseries he had to endure, he felt sorely tempted to give his parole; he might do that, he argued.

"Do come, Hil," she said again, as if she were reading his hesitation.

"Papa will be so pleased."

"And try his best to make me turn traitor," thought Hilary.

"No," he exclaimed, "I cannot do it, Addy; and I'm sure you would not wish me to break faith with those to whom I owe duty. I should like to come, but--ah, Sir Henry, you there?"

He started, for a hand was laid upon his shoulder, and turning, there stood Sir Henry, holding out his hand.

"I have come to thank you, my brave, true lad, for what you have done,"

he exclaimed warmly. "You saved my darling's life and then mine."

"And for which you had me hunted down," said Hilary bitterly.

"It was no act of mine, my boy," said Sir Henry sadly. "Why will you ignore the fact that I am not master of your position? Hilary, my dear boy, once more, will you join us?"

"No, Sir Henry; and even if I did you would only despise me."

"No, no. Nothing of the kind."

"Then I should despise myself," cried Hilary. "Once more, Sir Henry, I am a king's officer, and refuse your proposals."

"Then give me your parole not to escape."

"I give you my word of honour that I will escape as soon as I possibly can," said Hilary smiling. "So take my advice, and take Adela away.

Save yourself, too, for if I find you here I shall be obliged to arrest you."

"Why, you foolish fellow," said Sir Henry smiling, "you are a prisoner, and you have found out that you cannot get away."

"Not so, Sir Henry. I found that I could not get away this first time; but you don't know me if you think I am going to sit down quietly here without an effort to escape."

"But it is impossible here, my good lad," said Sir Henry.

"So your people thought when you locked me up in that old chapel. I tell you, Sir Henry, I mean to get back to my s.h.i.+p."

"Then, for the safety of my child, and for my own safety, Hilary, you force me to show myself the stern officer of his majesty our rightful king, and I must see that you are kept fast. However, I will try to temper justice with some show of kindness, and I have had dry clothes brought up for your use till the others are right."

"Oh, they are pretty well right now," said Hilary carelessly.

"Then is it to be war, Hilary?" said Sir Henry with a sad smile.

"Yes, Sir Henry, war."

"We shall keep you very close and very fast, my boy."